NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD News) — A business can be growing on paper and still struggle to make payroll. Dun & Bradstreet says cash flow is now rivaling inflation as a leading concern for many small businesses, especially in transportation, warehousing, and food-related sectors.
Recent lending data shows owners are increasingly seeking capital to strengthen cash flow and cover routine expenses, not only to expand. That shift points to more defensive borrowing as operating costs remain high and customer payments arrive slowly.
The pressure reaches rural equipment dealers, truckers, repair shops, processors, restaurants, and suppliers tied closely to farm income. When producers delay purchases or stretch payments, local businesses carry more receivables and face tighter working capital.
Access to financing also remains uneven. Owners report longer approval timelines, unexpected credit problems, and confusion about lender requirements, leaving many businesses unprepared when cash needs become urgent.
Small-business conditions remain resilient, but risks are becoming less uniform. Slower growth, inflation, interest-rate uncertainty, and rising operating pressure are making financial preparation as important as access to capital.
